If you polled the current batch of seniors about to graduate
from high school and asked them a simple question – "Which is
the only Centennial Conference school to win an NCAA Division III
national championship?" – what do you think the results would
be?

There would probably be a bunch of votes for Gettysburg, and
maybe a handful for Dickinson considering their current profile.
Possibly a smattering for Haverford. But how many would have
selected the correct answer, Washington College?

Considering that this crop of seniors was born in 1994 and the
Shoremen's title was '98, it's not really a fair question. Anyone
with a grasp on the history of the division knows that Washington
College has one of the richest traditions anywhere. The War on the
Shore didn't develop its reputation just because of the proximity
of the two schools, but rather because Salisbury vs. WAC was an
annual coin flip.

And, to be fair, with the exception of Salisbury, there is
typically a natural ebb and flow among top-tier Division III
lacrosse programs, the result of various external and internal
factors. Seriously, how many of those same kids knew that
Middlebury was once a dynasty, or that Salisbury is still chasing
the Hobart legacy?

My purpose is not to gratuitously point out the contemporary
malaise that the WAC program is suffering through – a
downturn that hasn't seen the school in the NCAA tournament since
'08 or win a WoTS match-up since Y2K. Rather, I'd like to find out
if there is a clear-cut solution for the Shoremen to find a way
back to prominence.

Obviously, successful programs are about matriculating the best
players, retaining them and having a coach to direct them in the
right direction. Other than a somewhat remote geographical location
and an expensive tuition (which can be said about plenty of
currently successful programs), the Shoremen still possess the
necessities to return. The quest is complicated when you play in a
cutthroat conference, which the Centennial certainly is, but
they've done it in the past.

As the Shoremen open up their season this weekend against
Goucher, the question is: will this be the year WAC returns to
prominence?

I just don't know. Joel, set me straight.

CENSER: I remember my first brush with WAC's tradition. It was
my freshman year at Haverford, and we had just gone through the
Kyle Mitten-Greg Vetter-Jon Spivey grinder, losing 8-5. At the
tailgate, I found myself pacing up and down the Washington College
field house, looking at pictures of current Navy coach Ricky Sowell
(bull-dodging in short-shorts, no less), current Haverford Boys'
School coach John Nostrant, and the original Joseph Seivold, a "60
minute midfielder" from the 1960s.

As for the Shoremen getting back to the Terry Corcoran/John Haus
era of good feeling -- when dueling banjos actually had symbolic
significance -- Jac's right. Coach Jeff Shirk is dealing with some
institutional disadvantages and a roster that had to be completely
revamped in 2011. Personally, I'm not totally sold that we will
ever see that same program that used to run roughshod over the rest
of Division III.

But looking at schools with similar academic profiles in
"exotic" locales (Lynchburg, Roanoke), there is a blueprint moving
forward. So it's not an entirely terrible day to be a Shoreman.
There were some positives from 2011 -- a 10-9 loss to Dickinson, a
mid-season smackdown of Cabrini.

It won't happen this year, but I do hope Shirk restores WAC into
into Division III's upper echelon (and proper Eastern Shore
counterweight to Salisbury). Because no one can convince me that
there's a better lacrosse venue in Division III than Roy Kirby Jr.
Stadium.

The last time I played there we lost a heartbreaker in the
fourth overtime. It was probably the most excruciating loss of my
career. Even five years later, I can still remember every good
play, every missed opportunity (I have issues, I know).

Looking back, the loss stings less and I'm more just happy to
have been a part of that game.

Maybe when you play at WAC, it becomes old hat – just
another game with a cool breeze and loud fans. But to me, there was
an undeniable energy about playing in that stadium and being the
Saturday night entertainment in Chestertown.

Of course, with kids committing these days in the 10th grade,
potential recruits would probably be less interested in the
tradition or the gameday experience and more interested if the team
is planning on wrapping a goose decal around the entire
helmet...

COYNE: If one were so inclined, the argument could be made that
Sam Bradman had a sub-par game last week against Lynchburg. Yes, he
had four goals, and single-handedly determined what the Hornets'
defensive game plan was, but he also took 15 shots. After the game
Salisbury coach Jim Berkman said that if Bradman had been slightly
more in synch, he could have eight goals easy. Why point this
out?

Because Bradman is unlikely to have another "bad" game on the
big stage. If Roanoke allows him the 15 good looks he got against
Lynchburg, it's going to be lights out. That's the thing. I think
he will get those touches. Salisbury, 17-11.

CENSER: The good news for Roanoke? Tony Mendes, a week removed
from a popped hammy, probably won't be turning the corner per usual
(if he plays at all).

The bad news? Lost in the coronation of Bradman is the fact that
face-off man Tyler Granelli (29-47, 62%) is having a monster year.
While Roanoke, after graduating face-off man Justin Tuma, is
relying on freshman and California native Max Satossky (he did go
13 of 19 in his first outing) at the square.

This won't be the 28-4 thrashing the Gulls put on the Maroons in
2007. I think the 'Noke attack trio of Jeff Keating, Richard
Lachlan and Mike Hayden will score against an untested and green
Salisbury defense. But not enough. 19-13. Birds.

COYNE: As you may have already guessed, this game was picked
heading into last weekend when we figured that both of these teams
would be undefeated with plenty on the line. Now, this matchup
isn't quite as sexy.

Despite playing a toothless Haverford squad on Saturday,
Stevenson showed that they'll have enough punch to be a threat
again (remember, they only scored 11 on the defensive-minded
Squirrels last year, too). They might be vulnerable to a dominant
faceoff man or a high-flying attack, but what team isn't?

Sydney's loss to Mary Washington can only be viewed as a
disappointment and I'm sure the Tiger players would agree. HSC has
just about everyone returning, including Micah Keller and Carter
Mavromatis, who were both held in check by the Eagles (2g, 2a
combined). Hampden-Sydney is going to bounce back and have a better
game, but good enough to beat the Mustangs on the road? That might
be a stretch. Stevenson, 12-10.

CENSER: I'm not ready to throw in the towel for the Tigers just
yet. In 2006, they lost to Mary Washington in the season opener,
and yes, life went on.

But the 'Stangs are still as penalty-happy and
transition-oriented as ever (but without all the firepower). And if
Haverford's offense could've strung together three passes in a row,
Stevenson would have had a game on their hands.

That said, HSC has had some issues in net, and they're going to
be seeing a lot of rubber come Saturday. SU, 15-9.

COYNE: Even going back to when this competition featured current
Rhodes coach Dave Zazzaro as my foil, the Springfield-Nazareth
throwdown has been on the docket. And, if memory serves, I've
picked it incorrectly every time. In the past, I'd go with the team
that appears better set up for the season, so I'm going against my
better judgment in hopes of breaking the hex.

Since Springfield appears to be more experienced and a little
bit deeper, I'm going with Nazareth and home field. Flyers,
11-9.

CENSER: Was hoping Jac would go with the Golden Flyers.

Springfield seems primed for a big 2011, returning five of their
top six leading scorers (all from a stacked junior class) and
talented sophomore keeper Connor Nash (58%).

Yeah, they'll have to replace Mark Eaton's handiwork at the
face-off, but it's not like Naz has anyone to go to battle there
either. Pride, 12-5.

COYNE: After the opening, my pick here is now going to
look like either an endorsement or an indictment of Washington
College, but it really isn't. Jeff Shirk is just in his second year
at the helm of the Shoremen, so passing any sweeping judgments
about the state of the program would be ridiculous.

This would be a difficult opener for any team, not just the
Shoremen. Goucher is a good team with a premium scorer in senior
Kyle Boncaro, who went over the 200-point mark this past weekend
during the Gophers pillaging of Texas. Goucher is also the favorite
to win the Landmark. Despite being played in Chestertown, the
Gophers are the pick here (and maybe even on Wednesday when they
travel to Gettysburg). Goucher, 14-12.

CENSER: If WAC's going to crawl back from Centennial
oblivion, it will start from the backline.

In 2012 they have a solid senior goaltender in Peter Stewart and
a couple of tough veteran defenseman.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Boncaro and Co., are
going to very quickly learn that the Shoremen aren't a second-year
program out of Texas or some low-hanging Landmark fruit.

CENSER: I only watched the first half of last week's
Haverford-Stevenson game. Besides enough homecooking to make Paula
Deen blush, I knew 15 minutes in that the Squirrels were going to
lose. The offense just had no fire. Too many lazy exchanges. Too
many unforced errors. When the Stevenson pressure came, instead of
running through defenders, the Fords ran away (a sure recipe for
disaster).

So am I worried going against a Cabrini squad – led by
defenseman John McSorely – that could be classified as
Stevenson Lite?

Not really. Saturday proved Haverford has the makings of a top
five defense in the country. I'll chalk the half-field woes up to
some preseason jitters and figuring out new roles on offense (like
the homer I am). Fords rumble, 8-4.

COYNE: Anyone who has been following my D-III ramblings
over the years knows I have a bit of a soft spot for the Cavaliers.
Every year they are honed to a razor's edge via a non-con schedule
that typically features some of the top programs around, only to
get fat and happy during the CSAC schedule heading into the
playoffs. The Cavs are doing everything they can, but they're just
not getting much help from their league. I feel bad for them, in a
way.

I'm wavering on not taking Cabrini just so it doesn't appear I'm
piling on Joel. Censer was destitute on Saturday night as his alma
mater struggled to find a goal, and I'd hate to see him like that
agan. But for the good of the competition, I'll take the Cavaliers
by a hair, 6-5.